Level up your emails: How to use @mentions in Outlook
You’re working on a project that involves collaboration across multiple teams. You’ve spent time crafting the perfect email to the group. You hit send with high hopes, but then days go by without a response.
If it sometimes feels like you’re sending emails into the void, Microsoft Outlook’s @mention feature might be just what you need to help your messages stand out.
The @mention feature allows you to tag a specific person or group in an email to alert them that you are addressing them directly. Emails with @mentions stand out in the recipient’s inbox and direct their attention to the part of the email that involves them.
It’s easy to get started using @mentions in Outlook, whether you’re using webmail, a desktop client or the mobile app:
- In the body of a draft email or meeting invitation, type the “@” symbol followed by the first few letters of the contact’s first or last name. Outlook will offer suggestions from the UW directory.
- Once you’ve selected a contact, their full name will appear highlighted in the message, and their email address will be automatically added to the To: line.
- You can use this feature to alert a group of people by @mentioning a distribution list, such as an Outlook or Google group.
- If you’re unsure of someone’s name, simply type “@” in the message body, and Outlook will show a list of suggested names. You can then select the person you want to mention from the list.
- If you receive a lot of emails, you can filter your inbox to show only the messages that mention you. From your inbox, select the filter and choose the “Mentions me” option. (Note: Depending on which version of Outlook you’re using, the filter may show up as “Mentioned Mail” or just “Mentioned”).
- If you use the full email list to view your emails, you can add the Mention column to see which messages @mention you at a glance. You can toggle that feature in Outlook’s column settings.